Different Pattern Of Presentation Of Carcinoma Gallbladder And Management.

INTRODUCTION

Carcinoma of the gallbladder (CaGB) is the most common malignant lesion of the biliary tract and holds fifth place among all malignant neoplasms of the digestive tract. It (CaGB) is a highly lethal disease. In over 70-80% cases, it is associated with cholelithiasis, although a correlation between these two cannot be determined with certainty.1 Even today, with multiple diagnostic tests available, gallbladder cancer is usually first recognized during a laparotomy performed for presumptive diagnosis of benign gallbladder disease. One to two percent patients undergoing operations for cholelithiasis have the diagnosis made incidentally at the time of surgical exploration.2 In India, however, the majority are discovered with advanced disease during ultrasonography for upper abdominal symptoms. In our country, the picture is almost same.

The incidence of gallbladder cancer varies greatly in different areas of the world. Highest incidence rates are seen in American Indians, people of Chile and other Latin American countries, Poland and North India. Though the incidence of carcinoma gallbladder in our country is no less than the western world, there is no broad-based study regarding this. So the exact incidence of carcinoma gallbladder in our country is not evaluated till now. But it is highly important to carry out a proper large scale study of these cancers in our country. Because the knowledge about the incidence, clinical presentations, evaluation of different patterns of treatment and natural history of the disease will invariably strengthen our efforts to combat the killer disease. Though it is not an uncommon disease in our country, there is dearth of information regarding this disease in this region. Pattern of presentation may also vary from other studies. By doing this, at least, awareness may be developed among the general people as well as the clinicians. For all these reasons, this has been chosen the topic of my study.

ANATOMY OF THE GALL BLADDER

Embryology of the gall bladder and biliary tree

The liver primordium appears in the middle of the third week as an outgrowth of the endodermal epitheliurn at the distal end of the foregut. This outgrowth, the hepatic diverticulum, or liver bud, consists of rapidly proliferating cells that penetrate the septum transversum, that is, the mesodermal plate between the pericardial cavity and the stalk of the yolk sac. While hepatic cells continue to penetrate the septum, the connection between the hepatic diverticulum and the foregut narrows, forming the bile duct. A small ventral outgrowth is formed by the bile duct and this outgrowth gives rise to the gall bladder and the cystic duct. Liver cords differentiate into the parenchyma and form the lining of the biliary ducts.3

Gross anatomy of the gall bladder and biliary ducts

The hepatic ductal apparatus consists of intrahepatic and cxtrahepatic bile ducts. The extrahepatic ducts consist of

1 . The common hepatic duct, formed by the junction of the right andleft hepatic ducts.

2. The gall bladder, a reservoir of bile.

3. The cystic duct of the gall bladder. 4. The bile duct, formed by the junction of the common hepatic and cystic ducts 4,5,6.

Fig 1.1 Anatomy of gallbladder and bile ducts (Courtesy: http://catalog.nucleusi nc.com)

The common hepatic duct

The main right and left hepatic duct issued from the liver and unites near the right end of the porta hepatis as the common hepatic duct, which descends about 3 cm before being joined on its right at an acute angle by the cystic duct to form the main bile duct. The common hepatic duct lies to the right of the hepatic artery and anterior to portal vein5.

The gall bladder

The gall bladder is a slate blue, piriform sac partly sunk in a fossa in the right hepatic lobe’s inferior surface. It extends forwards from a point near the right end of the porta hepatis to the inferior hepatic border. It is 7-10 cm long, 3 cm broad at its widest and 30-50 ml in capacity. It is described as having a fundus, body and neck. The fundus, the expanded end, projects down, forwards and to the right, extending beyond the inferior border to contact the anterior abdominal wall behind the 9th costal cartilage. The body is directed up, back and to the left; near the right end of the porta it is continuous with the gall bladder neck. The neck (cervix) is

narrow, curving up and forwards and then abruptly back and downwards, to become the cystic duct, at which transition there is a constriction. The neck is attached to the liver by loose connective tissue containing the cystic artery. The neck also shows a dilatation; the infundibulum (Hartmann’s pouch), which hangs downwards and is often connected to the duodenum by folds, which may be either congenital or inflammatory in origin5’6

The cystic duct

This structure is 3-4 cm long; it passes back, down and to the left from the neck of the gall bladder, joining the common hepatic duct to form the bile duct. Its mucosa forms spiral valve5.

The bile duct

The bile duct is formed near the porta hepatis, by the junction of thecystic duct and common hepatic duct; it is usually about 7.5 cm long and6 mm in diameter.

It is divided into four parts:

• The supraduodenal portion, about 2.5 cm long, running in the free edge of lesser omentum.• The retroduodenal portion.• The infraduodenal portion lies in a groove but at times in a tunnel, on the posterior surface of the pancreas.• The intraduodenal portion passes obliquely through the wall of the second part of the duodenum where it is surrounded by the sphincter of Oddi. It terminates by opening on the summit of the ampulla of Vater.Left of the descending part of the duodenum the bile duct reaches the pancreatic duct; together they enter the duodenal wall where they usually unite to form the hepatopancreatic ampulla, which opens on the summit of the major duodenal papilla

MICROSCOPIC STRUCTURE OF THE GALL BLADDER AND BILIARY DUCTS

1. The wall of the gall bladder displays three layers. The layers are: Serous, fibromuscular and mucous.

a. The serosa completely covers the fundus but only coats the inferior surfaces and sides of the body and neck of the gall bladder.

b. The fibromuscular layer is composed of fibrous tissue mixed with smooth muscle cells arranged loosely in longitudinal. circular and oblique bundle.

c. The mucosa is loosely connected with the fibrous layer, is generally yellowish brown and elevated into minute rugae with a honeycomb appearance.

Its epithelium is a single layer of columnar cells. The mucous membrane contains indentations of the mucosa that sink into the muscle coat; these are the crypts of Luschka. There is no gland in the mucosa but mucus is secreted by the epithelium itself. The basal intercellular spaces show considerable dilatation and many capillaries lie close to the basement membrane. These features indicate active absorption of water and solutes from the

bile, rendering it more concentrated. Mucous granules are present in the apical half of some cells, particularly those near the duct; these are secreted into the lumen.

2. The coats of the large biliary ducts arc an external of fibrous layer. The fibrous layer is composed of fibroareolar tissue; intermingled with a few non-striated muscle fibre that are arranged in a longitudinal, oblique and circular manner. The mucous layer is continuous with the lining membrane of the hepatic ducts and gall bladder and also with that of the duodenum. Its epithelium is of columnar variety.

Many lobulated mucous glands are present. In the bile ducts, the mucous membrane is provided with numerous tubulo-alveolar glands that secrete mucin.

The circular muscle around the lower part of the bile duct, including the ampulla and the terminal part of the main pancreatic duct, is thickened and is called the sphincter of the hepatopancreatic ampulla (or the sphincter of Oddi). The later comprises musculature at three levels:

(i) at the end of the bile duct (sphincter ductus choledochus);(ii) around the terminal part of the pancreatic duct (sphincter ductus pancreatici);

and(iii) around the ampulla.

Only the choledochal sphincter is constantly present 5.

Blood supply

Arterial supplyThe cystic artery, usually from the right branch of the hepatic artery proper, it passes behind the common hepatic and over the cystic duct to the superior aspect of the gall bladder’s neck, on which it descends to divide in to superficial and deep branches. The former ramifies on the inferior, the latter on the superior aspect. An accessory cystic artery may arise from the common hepatic or one of its branches. The cystic artery supplies the hepatic ducts and upper part of the common bile duct. The lower part of the bile duct receives rami from the cystic artery. The right hepatic artery supply intermediate part through very small rami, the main supply being from the cystic and posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal arteries5.

Venous drainageThe cystic veins, which drain the gall bladder, vary. Those from its superior surface are in areolar tissue between the gall bladder and liver, usually entering the liver through the visceral fossa to join the hepatic veins. The remainder form one or two cystic veins which commonly also enter the liver either directly or after joining the veins draining the hepatic ducts and upper bile duct. Only rarely does a single or double cystic vein drain into the right portal branch 5.

Lymphatic drainage of the gall bladder and bile ductsNumerous vessels run from the submucosal and subserosal plexuses on all aspects of the gall bladder and cystic duct, those on the former hepatic aspect connecting sparsely with the hepatic vessels. They pass to the hepatic nodes, especially the cystic nodes and node of the anterior epiploic border. Hepatic nodes also collect from vessels accompanying the hepatic ducts and the upper part of the bile duct, those of its lower part draining into the inferior hepatic and upper pancreaticosplenic nodes. Subserosal lymphatic vessels of the gall bladder

also connect with the subcapsular lymph channels of the liver, and this accounts for the frequent spread of carcinoma of the gall bladder to the liver5.

Nerve supply

Sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation is from the coeliac plexus exist in the muscular and submucosal layers pass along the hepatic artery and its branches. Fibres from the right phrenic nerve, through communications between the phrenic and coelic plexuses, appear to reach the gall bladder via hepatic plexus, thus explaining the referred “shoulder pain” in gall bladder pathology. Sympathetic nerves are motor to the musculature of the gall bladder and bile ducts, but inhibitory to the sphincters of the bile duct. Gall bladder pain via vagus is referred to the stomach5.

PHYSIOLOGY OF THE GALL BLADDER

Functions of the gall bladder

1. The gall bladder is a reservoir for bile. During fasting resistance to flow through the sphincter is high, and bile excreted by the liver is diverted to the gall bladder. After feeding the resistance to flow through the sphincter of Oddi is reduced, the gall bladder contracts and the bile enters the duodenum. These motor responses are in part effected by the hormone cholecystokinin.

2. Concentration of bile by active absorption of water, sodium chloride and bicarbonate by the mucous membrane of the gall bladder. The hepatic bile, which enters the gall bladder, becomes concentrated 5-10 times.

3. Secretion of mucous — approximately 20 ml is produced per day4.

Physiology of bileBile is made up of the bile salts, bile pigments and other substances dissolved in an alkaline electrolyte solution that resembles pancreatic juice. About 500 ml is secreted per day. Some of the components of bile are reabsorbed in the intestine and excreted again by the liver (enterohepatic circulation)

The glucuronides of the bile pigments, bilirubin and biliverdin are responsible for the golden yellow colour of the bile. The bile salts are sodium and potassium salts of bile acids, and all those secreted into the bile are conjugated to glycine or taurine.7

Storage of bile in the gall bladderThe bile secreted continually by the liver cells is normally stored in the gall bladder until needed in the duodenum. The maximum volume of the gall bladder is only 30-60 milliliters. Water, sodium chloride and most other small electrolytes are continually absorbed through the gall bladder mucosa, concentrating the other bile constituents, including bile salts, cholesterol, lecithin and bilirubin. Bile is normally concentrated about 5- fold, but it can be concentrated up to a maximum of 20-fold.

By far the most potent stimulus for causing the gall bladder contractions is the hormone cholecystokinin. However in addition to cholecystokinin, the gall bladder is also stimulated less strongly by cholinergic nerve fibres from both the vagi and the enteric nervous system8.

AETIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS OF CARCINOMA OF GALLBLADDER

The aetiology of Ca GB is unknown. However, several risk factors associated with the disease (Table 1.1) stand clearly and deserve comment.

Table 1.1 Aetiological risk factors for gall bladder cancer

CholelithiasisChronic cholecystitisCarcinogensPorcelain gall bladderTyphoid carriersGall bladder polypAdenomyomatosisCongenital anomaliesReproductive factorsDietary factorsFamilial & genetic factorsBile and bacteriaFatty acidsHeavy metals and metallothioneinCholedochal cysts

Cholelithiasis

The presence of gallstones is considered to be an important risk factor for carcinoma gallbladder(CaGB) but a causal relationship between gallstones and CaGB remains unproven. The link between cholelithiasis and CaGB is exemplified by the following associations:

1. Gallstones are found in 65-90% of patients with CaGB.9

2. Frequencies of gallstone and CaGB run in parallel in a defined population.10

3. Risk of developing carcinoma gallbladder increases directly with gallstone size- the relative risk for CaGB is 2.4 for patients with stones 2.0-2.9 cm in diameter but increases to 10.1 for patients with stones > 3.0 cm in diameter.11

4. Autopsy data from Chile have suggested that the risk of carcinoma gallbladder (CaGB) is 7 times greater in the presence of gallstones compared to the risk of those without gallstones12. There is no association of CaGB with any specific type of gallstones.

5. Experimental studies have demonstrated chronic irritation of gallbladder mucosa by using different materials such as gallstones, pebbles, pitch, linonin, glass bends etc9. It has been shown that chronic trauma and inflammation can induce epithelial dysplasia, carcinoma in situ and invasive cancer.13,14

However there may be several other important factors involved in the development of carcinoma gallbladder(CaGB). Since about 10-25% of patients do not have associated cholelithiasis and only small proportion (1—3%) of all cholelithiasis patients develop CaGB9. Certain ethnic and racial groups have a higher incidence of CaGB in populations where cholelithiasis is uncommon.15 This suggests that other environmental and/ or genetic factors (carcinogenic co-factors) may also be

contributing to the development of CaGB in patients having cholelithiasis. Comfort et al followed patients with silent gallstones for 10-25 years and only 1% of them developed carcinoma gallbladder.16 In another prospective study none of the 123 patients with gallstones who were followed from 1000 patient years developed carcinoma. Therefore there is insufficient clinical data to irrefutably support this association; yet, the frequent association suggests common antecedents.

Two schools of thought have emerged as to the pathogenesis of CaGB due to gallstone disease:

(i) Epithelial hyperplasia (Alborcs-Saavedra et al 1980). (ii) Epithelial metaplasia (Dowling and Kelly 1986)

- leading to dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, and invasive cancer. Current thinking favours the second hypothesis that adenocarcinoma develops via dysplasia of metaplastic gallbladder epithelium.

Chronic cholecystitis

Approximately 50% patients of carcinoma of the gallbladder have a history suggestive of chronic cholecystitis.17

Porcelain gall bladder

There is a 20% risk of malignancy in association with calcified or porcelain gall bladder, making this rare finding an absolute indication for cholecystectomy. 18

Gall bladder polyp

Gall bladder polyps are also a predisposing factor for CaGB. However. definitive evidence similar to the adenoma-carcinoma sequence in colonic cancer is lacking in carcinoma gallbladder. Recent evidence suggests that polyps greater than 10 mm in diameter have the greatest malignant potential. If diagnosed in asymptomatic patients, even in the absence of stones, cholecystectomy is recommended19. Smaller polyps (<10 mm) need to be removed if producing symptoms or associated with gallstones.

Anomalous pancreaticobiliary duct junction (PBDJ)

Recent studies have suggested that APBDJ is associated with development of CaGB.20,21

This anomalous ductal union is seen in approximately 17% of patients with CaGB in comparison with less than 3% among patients with other hepatobiliary disorders21. It is thought that the connection between common bile duct and pancreatic duct when outside the duodenal wall, is without sphincteric control, it thus allows the free reflux of pancreatic juice into the gall bladder. Stasis of this pancreatic juice produces damage and precancerous changes in the gallbladder mucosa22. In patients with APBDJ without dilatation of the bile duct, this stasis occurs exclusively in the gallbladder. These patients have a much higher incidence of CaGB as compared of patients with associated bile duct dilatation20. Patients developing CaGB in association with APBDJ are younger and have a lower incidence of gallstones21.

Carcinogens

Carcinogens are probably involved in the causation of gallbladder cancer. Studies have shown that methylcholanthrene, 0-aminoazotoluene and nitrosamines cause CaGB in experimental animals (Knowalewski & Todd 1971). Shukla et al found a significantly high concentration of secondary bile acid in patients with carcinoma of the ga1lbladder23. Chemicals such as O—aminoazotolucne, aflatoxin B and various other nitrosamines have been implicated in carcinogenesis in experimental studies24. This observation is further supported by the high risk of carcinoma gallbladder occurring in rubber, automobile, wood finishing and metal fabricating industry workers who are exposed to nitrosamines25.

Dietary factors

Pandey et al have shown the protective effect of vegetables on gallbladder carcinogenesis while consumption of red meat was associated with increased risk of gallbladder cancer.26

Other studies have also shown protective effect of fat and protein rich diet and consumption of fibre, vitamin C and vitamin E27.

Reproductive factors

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a strong association between carcinoma gallbladder, obesity and oestrogens. Singh et al reported a high risk of carcinoma gallbladder in women having early menarche, late marriage, late pregnancy and prolonged reproductive phase.28

Bile and Bacteria

A study from one centre has clearly shown significantly higher secondary bile acid in carcinoma of the gallbladder with positive culture23. Among the different microbial agents S. typhi has been implicated frequently. Mellemgard et al reported a six fold higher risk for hepatobiliary cancer among typhoid carriers but the exact mechanism of carcinogenesis is yet to be established29.

Other factors

Though the association with sclerosing cholangitis with long standing ulcerative colitis is well known, carcinoma gallbladder has been uncommonly reported in patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease30. Polyposis coil have also been rarely associated with this disease31. Choledochal cysts are also associated with malignant transformation if they are left or incompletely excised during surgery.

Pathology

Carcinoma of the gallbladder usually produces diffuse thickening of the gallbladder wall with infiltration to surrounding structure. Most often these cancers originate in the gallbladder fundus. As the tumour progresses the gallbladder may fill with tumour and may contain purulent material, mucus or stones. Early carcinomas may appear as a mucosal plaque, a polypoid or papillary excrescence or discrete thickening of the wall. Macroscopically carcinoma gallbladder(CaGB) can be divided into papillary, tubular and nodular forms

(Sumiyoshi et al 1991). Papillary tumours are less likely to directly invade the liver and have lower incidence of lymph node metastases.

There arc several histopathological types of CaGB. The majority of CaGB are adenocarcinomas (80-95%), which can be papillary, tubular, mucinous or signet cell type. The other histopathological types decreasing order of frequency are undifferentiated or anap1astic carcinoma (2-7%), squamous cell carcinoma (1-6%) and adenosquamous carcinoma (1-4%) (Henson et al 1992, Alborcs-Saavedra et al 1992, Misra et al 1995). Rare malignant lesions are carcinoid tumours, malignant melanomas, lymphomas and sarcomas.

Knowledge of the mode of spread of CaGB is important for developing a rational therapeutic approach to surgical resection. Fahim and colleagues (1962) emphasized the following modes of spread of CaGB- direct. lymphatic, vascular, neural, intraperitoneal and intraductal. The lymph from the gallbladder drains by lymphatic plexuses to lymph nodes along the biliary ductal system— the first level lymph nodes subsequently it spreads to the superior, anterior and posterior pancreaticoduodenal lymph nodes- the second level of lymph nodes. Further drainage is to coeliac. superior mesenteric and para aortic lymph nodes- the third level of lymph nodes. The lymph nodes at the hilum of the liver are affected by metastases in a retrograde fashion only. About 25% of patients with CaGB will have node metastasis at the time of operation or autopsy (Beltz and Condon, 1974).

Fig 1.2 Segments of liver showing the plane of main intrahepatic portal vein dividing the segment 4 into superior (4a) and inferior (4b) divisions. [From Robin Smithuis’ Liver segmental anatomy: the Radiology Department of the Rijnland Hospital, Leiderdorp, the Netherlands]

Venous blood from the gallbladder drains into segment IV of the liver by short, direct, communicating veins or by accompanying the extra hepatic ducts into the liver. This drainage explains the initial localized metastasis of gallbladder cancers into the liver adjacent to the gallbladder rather than to distant sites in the liver. Fahim and associates (1962) demonstrated microscopic vein invasion in 13.9% of their cases. According to Ouchi et al, 66% of gallbladder veins end in the intrahepatic portal branches of the right lobe, 6% exclusively in the left lobe and 28% in both. Therefore, removal of a portion of liver is recommended as

part of treatment for CaGB. Direct invasion of tumour into adjacent liver segments IV and V and other surrounding organs such as duodenum, colon, anterior abdominal wall and common hepatic ducts are the commonest mode of spread. Intraperitoneal dissemination from CaGB is uncommon. Intraductal spread is seen in 19% of papillary carcinomas. Perineural spread occurs in 24% of cases32.

Staging

Several systems exist. Although a TNM system for staging biliary cancer has been adopted recently, the staging system developed by Nevin et al (1976) has been used widely. This system is based on the level of tumour invasion and correlated well with prognosis.

A simplified version of the American Joint Commission on Cancer (AJCC) staging is seen in Table 2.1 in the following section.

Table 1.1 American Joint Commission on Cancer Staging

TNM* Definition Tumor Location Tis Carcinoma in situ T1a GB wall: mucosa T1b GB wall: Muscle T2 Perimuscular connective tissue T3 Serosa or one organ, Liver <2 cm T4 Two or more organs, liver > 2 cm N1a Hepatoduodenal ligament nodes MO No distant metastases M1 Distant metastases

* Tumor, node, metastases (TNM) staging classification

Table 1.2 Staging of Cancer of the Gallbladder

Stage 0 Tis N0 M0Stage 1 T1 N0 M0Stage II T2 N0 M0Stage III T1-2

T3N1N0-1

M0M0

Stage IVA T4 No-1 M0Stage IVB T1-4

T1-4N2N0-2

M0M1

The Nevin-Moran staging system is more commonly used and is seen in Table 2.3.

Table 1.3 Nevin-Moran Staging33

Stage Tumor Location

I Intramucosal Cancer

II Mucosa and muscularis involved III All 3 layers involved IV All 3 layers and cystic duct lymph nodes involved V Liver or distant metastases involved

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

Early CaGB is not associated with specific symptoms and signs, but nonspecific symptoms have been grouped into five clinical syndromes (Piehier & Crichiow 1978), which are given below in decreasing order of frequency.

1. Acute cholecystitis — some patients with symptoms suggesting acute cholecystitis. About l% patients operated on for acute cholecystitis have CaGB. Patients with this acute cholecystitis syndrome have an earlier stage of carcinoma with an improved survival rate.

2. Chronic cholecystitis — these patients with occasional vague right hypochondriac pain with non-specific symptoms like nausea, vomiting and anorexia.

3. Biliary tract disease — these patients exhibit symptoms of jaundice, weight loss, generalized weakness and right upper quadrant pain. Patients with this clinical syndrome have extensive disease.

4. Clinical features of malignancy outside the biliary tract- anorexia, weight loss, generalized weakness and local complications of the tumour, such as fistula or invasion of adjacent organs. These patients usually have extensive disease.

5. Benign manifestations outside the biliary tract — this small group of patients presents with gastrointestinal bleeding and upper gastrointestinal obstruction. Jaundice is frequent, and is an ominous finding. It was associated with unresectable disease in approximately 14% of our patients (Misra et al 1995).

Patients with advanced disease may also present with a palpable gallbladder mass, hard nodular liver and malignant ascites from carcinomatosis.

In 15-20% of patients, CaGB is discovered incidentally at the time of routine cholecystectomy or postoperatively on histology. Only 20% of patients have disease confined to the gallbladder at the time of diagnosis. The majority (80%) have locoregionally advanced disease with invasion of adjacent organs or, less commonly, distant metastases (stage III and IV) at the time of presentation. CaGB may be suspected in patients with a long history of chronic cholecystitis with cholelithiasis in whom a recent change in symptomatology and pain has occurred.

More than 90% of patients are over 50 years of age, the peak incidence being between 70-75 years of age. The majority of patients arc females with a female to male ratio of 3: 1.1

Table 1.4 Gallbladder cancer symptoms (Misra et al 1995)

Symptoms % of patientsPain right hypochondrium 82Weight loss 72Anorexia 74Nausea and vomiting 68Lump in right hypochondrium 65Jaundice 44Abdominal distension 30Pruritus 20Haematemesis 2Melaena 1

Multiple symptoms were present in most patients

Investigations

Ultrasonography

It is now clear that early CaGB may be detected by ultrasonography (USG). Early tumours can be recognized by the presence of a polypoid mass projecting into the lumen (fixed and not associated with acoustic shadowing), complex mass filling the lumen and localized thickening of gallbladder wall. However, differentiation from cholecystitis poses some difficulty because thickening of the gallbladder wall can be seen in both diseases34.

Fig 1.3: An USG demonstrating heterogeneous thickening of the gallbladder wall (arrows). The diagnosis was primary papillary adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder. (From emedicine website:http://www.emedicine.corn/radio/irnages .accessed on September 01, 2007)

Advanced tumours, in addition, show loss of interface between gallbladder and liver, indication of tumour invasion, lymph node and hepatic metastasis, dilated bile ducts and ascites. USG can also identify polyps and demonstrate the presence of associated gallstones. The diagnostic accuracy of USG is over 8O%. Recently, with the advent of colour Doppler ultrasonography, one can differentiate between biliary sludge and carcinoma by seeing fine vessel pattern. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has also been used for diagnostic evaluation and it predicts the depth of tumour involvement with accuracy35.

Computed tomographyComputed tomography (CT) accurately demonstrates gallbladder abnormalities and extent of disease. The diagnostic accuracy of CT is 60% and is lower than that of ultrasonography.36

The common CT findings in CaGB are a mass, almost filling the gallbladder lumen, or a polypoidal mass protruding into the lumen or an infiltrating tumour to liver seen as a focal or diffuse thickening of the gallbladder wall. The frequent finding is the presence of mass in the gallbladder fossa, with the gallbladder itself being indiscernible (Kumar and Aggarwal, 1994). Newer scanners of Spiral CT provide biliary and vascular reconstruction. It is also helpful in monitoring response to treatment. Computed tomographic angio-portography (CTAP) is useful in evaluation of hepatic metastases.6

Fig 1.4: CT scan in a 65-year-old man. This image depicts squamous cell carcinoma of the gallbladder and invasion of the liver. (From e-medicine website:http://www.emcdicine.comlradio/irnages. Accessed on: September 01, 2007)

The main purpose of performing CT is to diagnose tumour extent- direct infiltration in adjacent tissue or vessels, lymph node and distant metastases. It has proved extremely useful in patients with advanced disease in deciding about surgery and the extent of resection required.

Magnetic resonance imaging

Only limited experience exists on the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of CaGB. The morphologic appearances of CaGB are similar on MRI and CT. the tumour appears hypointense on T1 weighted images and hyperintense on T2 weighted images. It is especially useful in visualizing tumour invasion into the hepatoduodenal ligament, portal vein encasement and lymph node involvement. No large series have compared CT and MRI37 Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) can evaluate malignant biliarv stricture (hilar cholangiocarcinoma) avoiding the complications of ERCP6.

Selective angiography

Selective angiography has a high degree of diagnostic accuracy because it may show encasement of vessels of neovascularisation suggesting the diagnosis. Angiography is rarely used for diagnostic purpose, but it is of some value in assessing tumour extension and providing information regarding the resectability of the tumour.

Cholangiography

Cholangiography[intravenous cholangiography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC)] is of little value in detecting the presence of CaGB, because the gallbladder is not visualized in most cases. however. direct cholangiography such as ERCP and PTC arc helpful in planning operative procedures since they can demonstrate tumour growth in adjacent intrahepatic ducts,38 or in the common bile duct35, ERCP is particularly useful when cholangiography is required in the absence of dilated intrahepatic biliary ducts.

Hepatoiminodiacetic acid scan (HIDA Scan)A HIDA scan reveals only non—visualization of the gallbladder, which may be due to acute cholecystitis or, rarely, CaGB obstructing the cystic duct.

Ultrasound or CT guided fine needle aspiration cytology Ultrasound or CT guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for preoperative cytodiagnosis has been with increasing frequency. Reported sensitivity is 88%.39 This technique has particular relevance for proving the diagnosis in suspected cases of CaGB and in advanced cases where non-operative treatment of CaGB is being planned. Brushings of the obstructed bile ducts or bile cytology studies have a low diagnostic yield.

Laparoscopy and biopsy

Laparoscopy and biopsy are extremely useful in assessing peritoneal metastases, extent of disease and operability in patients with locally advanced disease.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

It is useful in detecting recurrent malignancy, particularly detection of small volume disease. It is also helpful in monitoring response to treatment. Although there is a difficulty in distinguishing between inflammation and tumour, more selective tracers can eliminate the problem.6

Laboratory investigations

Laboratory investigations, although abnormal, are non-specific. The lack of characteristic laboratory abnormalities makes preoperative testing distinctly in accurate in most cases. Elevated serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase suggest biliary tract obstruction. Tumour marker such as CEA and CA 19—9 are occasionally elevated raising the suspicion of malignancy.

TREATMENTTreatment in individual patients depends upon the mode of presentation, patient and tumour factors. Patient factors influencing the choice of treatment are age, nutritional status, performance status and the cardiopulmonary, hepatic and renal functions of the patient. Tumour factors determining the therapy are related to the stage and extent of disease (i. e. hepatic, colonic, duodenal and vascular invasion). Optionsof treatment are outlined below.

Surgery

The only potentially curative therapy remains surgical resection. Unfortunately, most patients found to have CaGB have unresectable disease-only 10-30% of patients being resectable on presentation. To simplify management guidelines patients can be divided into three clinical groups:

1. Incidentally discovered CaGB during laparotomy or after cholecystectomy for benign disease.

2. CaGB suspected or confirmed preoperatively on clinical or diagnostic workup.

3. Advanced CaGB apparent on clinical or preoperative investigation findings.

Surgical options include:

(a) Simple cholecystectomy.(b) Cholecystectomy with pericholedochal lymphadenectomy or extensive lymph

node dissection at the coeliac axis and aorta (Radical cholecystectomy).(c) Cholecystectomy with wedge resection of the liver bed (segments IV and V).(d) Cholecystectomy with resection of hilum and common bile duct with biliary

reconstruction.(e) Cholecystectomy with pancreaticoduodenectomy.(f) Cholecystectomy with right hepatic lobectomy with or without extension to

segment IV.(g) Total hepatectomy with orthoptic liver transplantation.

Incidentally discovered CaGB during laparotomy or after cholecystectomy for benign disease

Carcinoma of the gall bladder is incidentally discovered during cholecystectomy for benign disease in 12-36% of patients. If CaGB is discovered during surgery, the surgeon should decide whether curative surgery is possible after determining the extent of disease. If the disease is so extensive as to preclude curative resection then a biopsy along with the appropriate palliative procedure may be carried out.

The diagnosis of subclinical or occult CaGB is usually made after the excised specimen is opened after removal or by the pathologist during examination of the specimen. The gall bladder should, ideally, be Opened after its removal and examined carefully for any suspicious lesion before closing the abdomen. Doubtful specimens should be sent for immediate frozen section examination to determine the diagnosis and assess the depth of tumour invasion. If the tumour has not invaded beyond the muscle layer (pTl), simple cholecystectomy appears to be adequate. The 5-year survival of these patients is close to 100%40,41

I. If the tumour invades beyond the muscle layer of infiltrates perimuscular connective tissue (pT2), further surgery in the form of extended cholecystectomy is required. Simple cholccystectomy may be sufficient only when the tumour is located on the peritoneal aspect of the gallbladder without any contact with adjacent organs. For lesions adjacent to liver, extended cholecystectomy is required because of the increased chance of liver involvement.32,42 This, so called, extended or radical cholecystectorny involves en bloc removal of the gallbladder and a 2 cm or greater wedge resection of the gallbladder bed. The lymphatics surrounding the portal vein,

hepatic artery, porta hepatis and the nodes behind the second part of the duodenum, of pancreas and coeliac axis are also dissected. The extent of liver resection ranges from a nonanatomical wedge resection to removal of segments IV & V, Segments IV, V and VIII and even right hepatic lobectomy.

Fig 1.5-Liver segments (Left) above and (Right) at level of the portal vein.

Fig 1.6: Liver segments (Left) at the level of the right portal vein and (Right) at the level of the splenic vein.[Courtesy: Robin Smithuis’ Liver segmental anatomy: From the Radiology Department of the Rijnland Hospital, Leiderdorp, the Netherlands]

Gallbladder cancer suspected or confirmed preoperatively on clinical and diagnostic workup.

The surgical management of CaGB diagnosed preoperatively and in patients fit to withstand surgery depends on the investigations and the subsequent laparotomy findings. Patients with organ-confined disease are treated by extended or radical cholecystectomy.42 There are reports of 5- year survival of 29% after extended cholecystectomy in patients with transmural (T3, T4) tumour invasion and lymph node involvement as compared to no survivors after simple cholecystectomy in this group of patients.41

Criteria of resectability can vary but, if the following are present, surgical resection is contraindicated

- Multiple liver metastases.- Ascites.- Multiple peritoneal metastases.- Distant metastases.- Extensive involvement of hepatoduodenal ligament.- Encasement or occlusion of major vessels.- Poor performance status.

Direct involvement of colon, duodenum or liver is not absolute contraindications to surgery.

Advanced CaGB apparent on clinical and investigation findingIn patients not fit for tumour resection, some form of palliative procedure may be employed, such as bilio-enteric bypass or endoscopic/ percutaneous stenting in patients with obstructive jaundice.43

Since the level of tumour Obstruction is usually at the common hepatic duct or above, the round Ligament approach to the segment III duct along with biliary enteric anastomosis provides good palliation. In the presence of tumour invasion of the umbilical fissure of the liver, segment III duct bypass is not possible and recourse has to be taken for an alternative approach such as the Longmire procedure.44

Dramatic advances in the last decade, in both endoscopic and radiologically guided percutaneous stenting, have made operative bypass, in cases of unresectable cancers, largely unnecessary. For patients with distal common bile duct obstruction, an endoscopically placed stents provides both internal, and, if necessary, external drainage. It is rare for such patients to live long enough to require stent replacement because of sludge deposition. Duodenal or intestinal bypass may be performed as a palliative procedure if gastrointestinal obstruction is present.

Many Japanese surgeons have reported that aggressive surgery improves the outcome of patients with gallbladder cancer. Differences in survival rates between Japan and other countries have been noted.45 However, the extent of hepatic and lymph node resection, the need for resection of the extra hepatic ducts in nonjaundiced patients, the role of vascular resection, and the advisability of hepatopancreatoduodenectomy remain a matter of debate. Although no data from prospective, randomized studies are available, resection of the gallbladder and adjacent liver with or without the extra hepatic bile ducts and with a regional lymph node dissection is the operative approach recommended for selected patients with gallbladder cancer46

Cholecystectomy will prevent CaGB but all persons with asymptomatic gallstones need not, cannot and should not be advised to have prophylactic cholecystectomy to prevent CaGB. Those who have a higher risk of developing CaGB need to be identified and probably offered ‘preemptive’ cholecystectomy47. This will take age, geography, race, size of stone and stone / gallbladder volume ratio into account. Tumor markers and genetic markers may also help to identify these persons48.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy has been used primarily as an adjuvant treatment following surgery. The 3 year cumulative survival rate was 10.1% for patients receiving intraoperative radiotherapy after resectional surgery whereas it was nil for a similar group of patients undergoing resection alone.49 External radiotherapy has shown some survival benefit.50 However, carcinoma gallbladder is not only relatively radio resistant but also the proximity of sensitive normal tissues limits the delivery of large doses of radiotherapy.

Chemotherapy

5 Fluorouracil (5-FU) either alone or in combination has been widely used but offers no survival benefit. However, hepatic arterial infusion of mitomycin C with or without systemic

5FU was associated with increased survival rates.51 Further studies are required before the routine use of adjuvant chemotherapy for CaGB can be recommended. Palliative chemotherapy for Nevin stage IV and V is not recommended as standard care.

Prognosis and survival

The stage of the disease at presentation is the most important prognostic determinant. Other factors predicting poor prognosis are a high grade on histology, low tumour acid mucopolysaccharide and increased LDH level. At present, the therapeutic outcome for CaGB is extremely poor. Radical surgery with negative tumor margins is an accepted treatment for advanced disease. If there are negative tumor margins, 5-year survival rates according to the AJCC Stage I disease up to 50%, Stage II up to 9%, Stage III 3%, Stage IV 2%.52

Differences in survival rates between Japan and other countries have been noted. Kayahara and Nagakawa show in Japan 5-year survival rates of 77% for patients with stage I disease, 60% for patients with stage II disease, 29% for patients with stage III disease, 12% for patients with stage IVA disease, and 3% for patients with stage IVB disease.45The following page shows the comparison of survival rates for CaGB between AJCC study (series 1) and Japanese study (series 2).Comparison between AJCC (Series 1) andJapanese (Series 2) survival rate for CaGB

Figure1.7 Line diagram showing the survival rate between 2 series for CaGB

Materials and Methods

This is an observational study. This had been conducted on patients admitted in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka from September, 2008 to August, 2009 with carcinoma gallbladder.

Fifty patients of different age groups of either sex were found for this study during the stipulated time. Diagnosis was evaluated by careful history taking, thorough physical examination and relevant investigations. Patients were treated at the earliest possible time and all the operative findings, postoperative findings are noted. The results of this study were compared with other studies carried on the same topic. This was relatively a small study and may not reflect the whole picture.

Patients’ data were collected according to a protocol as given in the following sections.

Results

Table 3.1 Incidence in different age and sex group (n=50)

AgeNumber of Patients

TotalPercentage (%) among total Patients

Male FemaleUp to 40 2 9 11 2241-50 3 11 14 2851-60 6 11 17 3461 and above 3 5 8 16All ages 14 36 50

In the present study 50 cases of carcinoma of gallbladder, age incidence range from 35 to 80. Table 3.1 shows highest incidence is in two age groups that is 5th and 6th decade.

Most of the patients of the present study were female. Only 14 patients were male. Table 3.1 shows the results, incidence of carcinoma of gallbladder in male is 28% (14 patients) and in

female 72% (36 patients). It shows highest incidence in female than in male. The female to male ratio is 2.57: 1.

Table 3.2 Clinical presentation of carcinoma gallbladder (n = 50)

Clinical Presentation* Number of Patients Percentage (%) Pain in right hypochondrium 39 78Nausea and vomiting 18 36Yellow colouration 20 40Anorexia 14 28Lump 15 30Weight loss 7 14Fever 5 10Abdominal distention 4 8Itching 7 14Constipation 4 8Heartburn 2 4

*Multiple symptoms were present in most patients

Table 3.2 shows the commonest symptom was pain in the right hypochondrium (78%) Nausea and vomiting was in the second commonest symptoms (36%) felt by the patient. Yellow colouration of urine, skin and sclera (Jaundice) was found in 40% patients anorexia was found in 28% patients.

Lump was found in 30% patient while weight loss and itching were in 14% patients. Fever was present in 10%, abdominal distention and constipation was in 8% and heartburn in 4%.

Table 3.3 Duration of symptoms (n = 50) Time duration Number of Patients Percentage (%) Up to 2 months 17 342-6 months 22 446-12 months 6 12> 1 year 5 10

The duration of symptoms reported in our patients range from 2 days up to 2 years. Seventeen (34%) patients presented with the symptoms for up to 2 months. Twenty two (44%) patient presented with 2-6 months of symptoms and six (12%) patients presented with 6-12 months of symptoms while five (10%) patients presented with symptoms of more than a year. Most patients presented with 2-6 months of symptoms.

Table 3.4 Physical findings (n = 50) Signs Number of Patients Percentage (%) Tenderness in right hypochondrium 41 82

Weight loss 34 68Anaemia 39 78Palpable gallbladder 25 50Jaundice 20 40Palpable liver 8 16Ascites 8 16Splenomegaly 1 2Scar metastases 1 2

Present study shows that among 50 patients most patients (41) about 82% have tenderness in right hypchondrium. Thirty nine patient (78%) were anaemic 34 patients (68%) have weight loss 25 patients (50%) have palpable gallbladder; 20 patients (40%) have Jaundice; 8 patients (16%) have palpable liver and ascites. Only 1 patient (2%) has splenomegaly. While other one has scar metastases in laparoscopic wound.

Table 3.5 Laboratory Investigation (n = 50) Investigation Number of

PatientsPercentage (%)

Comment

Elevated serum bilirubin 23 46 Normal up to 1mg/dl

Elevated serum alanine aminotransferase

38 76 Normal up to 10-10 IU/L

Elevated serum Alkaline phosphatase

23 46 Normal up to 40-125 IU/L

Prolonged prothrombin time 19 38Low Haemoglobin level 37 74 Level < 60%

Considered low

Table 3.5 shows different investigation done in these patients. In this study 23 patients (46%) have elevated serum bilirubin. The bilirubin level ranges from 1.4 to 22 mg/dl. Thirty eight patients (76%) have elevated serum alanine aminotransferase. The highest level among the patient was 2250 IU/L. These Jaundiced patients were investigated for elevated level of serum alkaline phosphatase. All 23 patients (100%) were found to have elevated alkaline phosphatase level. The number is 46% of total patients. The highest level was 1545 IU/L. In this study, out of 50 patients. 23 Jaundiced patients (46%) were investigated for prolonged prothrombin time. Nineteen (19) were found to have prolonged prothrombin time. This number is 38% of the total patient. Level of haemoglobin was measured in all patient. Among them 37 patients (74%) have haemoglobin level less than 60%.

Table 3.6 Imaging study of HBS and Pancreas (n = 50) Type of Investigation

Number of Patients Investigated

Percentage (%)

Findings

USG 50 100 i) Positive for gall stone-38ii) Soft tissue shadow in gall

bladder – 35iii) Liver metastases-20iv) Dilated biliary channel-14

v) Ascites-6vi) Biliary Sludge-4vii) Soft tissue mass in gall

bladder bed-4viii) Acute cholecystitis-4ix) LN Enlarged-3x) Others-6

CT Scan 20 40 i) Mass in GB-20ii) Gall Stone-14iii) Liver metastases-14iv) Lymphadenopathy-3

MRCP 4 8 Dilated intrahepatic biliary channel-4

Isotope liver scan

4 8 i) Metastases at anterior aspect of right lobe of liver-2

ii) SOL in fossa for gallbladder

Figure 3.1 Bar diagram showing findings of USG

This study shows that USG was positive for gall stone in 76% of patients (38) among which multiple stones were found in 73% patients (28) and single stone was noted in 27% patients (10). Soft tissue mass was detected in 70% patients (35); most of them was in fundal region of gall bladder. The patients who presented with liver metastases was 40% dilated biliary channels were noted in 28% sonologically ascites was found in 12% patients (6). Patients presented with acute cholecystitis. Biliary sludge and soft tissue mass in gall bladder bed were equal in number and were 8% in number. Lymphnode was enlarged in 6% patients. Patient presented with porcelain gall bladder, normal size gall bladder, contracted gall bladder, compression of billiary channel by gallbladder mass, pancreatic metastases and splenomegaly were only in number and was 2% each.

Presentation of USG finding for CaGB38 35

2014

6 4 4 3 37

05

10152025303540

Number ofPatientsw ithmentionedpresentation

CT Scan of hepatobiliary system and pancreas revealed higher rate of detection of metastases. Gall stone were found in (70%) patient and so is the number with liver metastases.

MRCP was done in 4 patients and detected (100%) intrahepatic biliary channel dilated.

Isotope liver scan was done in 4 patients and detected metastases in anterior aspect of liver in 2 patients and in gall bladder region 2 patients.

Table 3.7 Treatment modalities of gallbladder carcinoma (n = 50)

Treatment offered Number of Patients Percentage (%) Only cholecystectomy 12 24Radical Chrolecystectomy 3 6

Considerd irresectable after laparotomy and tissue sampling for histopathology

1 2

Clinically and investigation revealed inoperability and advanced disease

34 68

In this study most patients presented with advanced disease like ascites, Jaundice or with multiple liver metastases and we have refer 34 patient (68%) to oncology center. Cholecystectomy could be done in 12 patient (24%), Radical cholecystectomy was done in 3 patients (6%) one patient (2%) was operated and found irresectable and then tissue sampling done for histopathology.

Table 3.8 Per Operative findings (n = 16)

Findings Number of Patients Percentage (%) Soft tissue mass in gallbladder 11 68Stone in thick walled gallbladder 9 56

Macro metastases in liver 4 25

Gall bladder mass invading liver 3 18.75Ascites 2 12.5Enlarged lymphnodes 5 31Contracted gall bladder 3 18.75Gall bladder mass invading transverse colon

1 6

Per operative findings of the study reveal that visible soft tissue mass in the gall bladder was found in 11 patients (68%). Eight of them were in fundal region, 3 in posterior wall in neck region of the gall bladder. Gall stone was found in 9 cases (56%), macro metastases was noted in 4 patients (25%) liver metastases was found in 3 patients (18.75%) Ascites was found in 2 patients (12.5%) and enlarged lymphnode was in 5 patients (31%). In three cases

gallbladder was found contracted and in 1 case gallbladder mass involved the transverse colon.

Table 3.9 Histopathological findings of laparotomy cases (n = 16) Type of carcinoma Number of Patients Percentage (%) Adenocarcinoma Well-differentiated 5 31.25 Moderately differentiated 2 12.5

Poorly differentiated 7 43.75

Squamous cell carcinoma 2 12.5

All the specimen of gall bladder or tissue samples were sent for histopathological examination. Adenocarcinoma of the gall bladder was reported in 14 patients (87.5%). Well differentiated type was found in 5 patients (31.25%), moderately differentiated in 2 patients (12.5%) and poorly differentiated in 7 patients (43.75%). Two patients (12.5%) in this study was found to have squamous cell carcinoma. Three of them was found to have CaGB after biopsy of suspicious cholecystectomy specimen postoperatively.

DISCUSSION

Carcinoma of the gall bladder was regarded as uncommon at one time. But reports within the last 50 years have shown that it is not as rare as was previously supposed. Probably many tumours were not recognized and diagnosed during the course of treatment. Carcinoma of the gall bladder is the most common malignant tumour of the biliary tract. It accounts for 5% of all cancers found at autopsy. It ranks fifth in frequency of all gastrointestinal malignancy. Overall outcome of this disease is poor. Patients with gallbladder carcinoma have an overall mean survival rate of 6 months, and the 5 years survival rate is 5%53. However, its clinicopathological pattern, feasibility and prospects of different modalities of treatment were not evaluated on our country. In the present study, I have presented 50 cases of carcinoma of gall bladder from BSMMU, Dhaka over a period from September, 2008 to August, 2009.

It is the purpose of this small study to present 50 cases of carcinoma of gall bladder to show age and sex related incidence of malignancy with comprehensive picture of clinical aspect of the disease. It must be mentioned that this was very small study and may have limited epidemiological significance in certain aspects. In addition to the main objective, this series gives us the opportunity to study the following aspects of gall bladder disease:

In this series, patients of different age groups are included, ranging from 35 to 80 years of age. The highest incidence is recorded in their 5th and 6th decades in this study. Nagata et al and de-Aretxabala et al reported highest incidence in their 6th decade54’ Jones and Maibenco et al showed that gallbladder carcinoma is diagnosed most frequently in individuals between ages 70 and 75 years56’ 57• This study differs to some extent from the other studies.

The present study showed that the youngest patient suffering form carcinoma of the gallbladder is 35 years old lady. Tanga and Ewing showed that the youngest patient was of 43 years58. Maria et al showed 41 years59. The youngest patient reported by Petcher, who found an 11 year old Navajo girl with carcinoma of gallbladder.

Overall, carcinoma of gall bladder was found more common in females (72%) than in males (28%) with female to male ratio is 2.57:1. The result is, more or less, consistent with the findings of other studies, in which it is 3:160. In a study, the ratio was 1.5:161.

We observed the clinical features of all the cases. Pain in the right hypochondrium was the most common presenting symptom in this study (Table 3.2) which correlates with the finding of Huber et al.60. In this study, 78% patients having carcinoma of gallbladder presented with persistent right upper abdominal pain, which resembles cholelithiasis. In one study, Cunningham et al have shown that 48.2% of patients of carcinoma of gallbladder had a preoperative diagnosis of symptomatic cholelithiasis62.

Anaemia was present in 39 patients (78%). Gallbladder was palpable in 25 patients (50%), while jaundice was present in 20 patients (40%). Weight loss was found in 34 patients (68%), which ranks as one of the two commonest symptoms. Different studies showed that anorexia, weakness, vomiting, weight loss, palpable upper right abdominal mass, jaundice and hepatomegaly were found in different combinations and in varying percentage among the cases diagnosed as carcinoma of gallbladder59. The clinical features noted in the present series were also nonspecific as carcinoma of gallbladder does not present any definite clinical signs and symptoms.

Jaundice is an important clinical feature. It was present in 40% patients. The study of Nagata et a154 showed a lower incidence (35%). Among laboratory investigations, Serum alanine aminotransferase was found elevated in 38 patients (76%). Serum Alkaline Phosphatase was raised in 23 patients (46%). Prothrombin time was prolonged in 19 patients (38%). Increased level of the enzymes corresponds with the severity of jaundice and biliary obstruction.

Ultrasonogram (USG) of the hepatobiliary system and the pancreas was done in all patients. This study shows that USG was positive for gallstones in 76% of patients. Soft tissue mass was detected in 35 patients (70%); most of them was in fundal region of the gall bladder.

In a study, solid mass in the gallbladder region was detected on USG in 50.84% of gallbladder carcinoma, thickened gallbladder wall in 44.06% and intraluminal polypoid mass in 5.08% cases, with an overall positive result in almost 100% cases63. Also Cubertaford et al reported the value of USG in diagnosing carcinoma of the gallbladder with sensitivity of about 64%40. Another study reveals the diagnostic accuracy of USG is over 80% in detecting carcinoma of gallbladder35. All these results are, more or less, close to the reported data in this study.

CT scan was done in 20 patients. Gallbladder mass could be detected in all cases (100%). Moreover, liver metastases and gall stone were detected in 14 patients(70%),lymphnode was found in 5 cases(15%).Though Araki et al showed 60% sensitivity of gallbladder carcinoma in CT scan36. This difference may be because we were selective in investigating the patients with CT scan and only USG-confirmed cancer patients were sent for the scan.

In this study most of the patients presented with advanced disease. Fifteen patient (30%) under went complete resection. Among them only cholecystectomy could be done only in 12 patients (24%), Radical chotecystectomy was done only in 3 patients (6%). Though Hiromichi et al showed 38% under went complete resection among them 20.8% was simple cholecystectomy and 17.2% was radical cholecystectomy65. This difference may be because most of our patient present late.

In this study, 87.5% patients of carcinoma gallbladder proved to have adenocarcinoma, the rest (12.5%) of the patients has squamous cell carcinoma showing similarity with the different studies. Similar study done by Maria et al on 61 patients and was diagnostic in all the cases having adenocarcinoma59. Strauch et al showed 82% adenocarcinoma, 7% undifferentiated, 3% squamous cell carcinoma and remaining other rare vaneties64.

In the present study, it is showed that gallbladder cancer is a disease of aged female patient as is the case in gall stone disease. Clinical features do not follow any definite features. USG is able to detect soft tissue mass in the gallbladder, metastases to liver or ascites of that advanced disease. So, the only confirmatory diagnosis is possible by laparotomy and biopsy. As there is negligible role of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the prognosis is poor, if the disease is not diagnosed early. Most of the patient in the study presented late and with advanced disease. So, we could offer very little to their ultimate cure in this hospital.

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Abbreviation

BSMMU = Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University USG = Ultrasonogram CT Scan = Computerized Tomography Scan CaGB = Carcinoma Gallbladder MRCP = Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography ERCP = Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography HBS = Hepatobiliary System LN =Lymphnode